Police are investigating a fake fundraising page set up in memory of an Angus police officer who died while on duty earlier this week.
PC Roy Buggins of Friockheim took unwell in Montrose on Tuesday afternoon while attending an incident at Rossie Island Road.
On Thursday, Tayside Police Division confirmed it is looking into a Gogetfunding campaign which was set up in the wake of the tragedy.
It claimed to be raising money to help pay for PC Buggins’ funeral.
However it has since been branded fake and removed from the website.
The force say the fundraiser caused “upset and distress” to the Buggins family and warned locals to be vigilant should it reappear online.
A statement from Tayside Police Division reads: “Police Scotland has been made aware of an online fundraising campaign which has been set up in the name of the family of our colleague PC Roy Buggins, who died on duty on Tuesday, September 3.
“The appeal, carried on GoGetFunding.com, claimed to be raising funds to help pay for the funeral of PC Buggins. It was not set up by his family or by anyone connected with him.
“It appears that this appeal has now been removed from the webpage and social media, but we are investigating the circumstances behind it.
“Needless to say, this has caused further upset and distress to the Buggins family at an already difficult time.
“Should this false funding appeal re-appear, we would ask everyone not to donate or contribute, and share this message to prevent others from doing so.”
PC Buggins had 29 years of service and was a highly-valued and well-respected member of the Montrose and Brechin Community Policing Team.
Tributes poured in for the popular officer following his death.
